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Petes: An Offer You Can't Refuse?

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By MICHELE SAGER

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 24, 2008

WESTCHASE - Food lovers now have another option in family fare with the opening of Petes Steakhouse Italian Grill.

The Salvatore family, which owns and operates the restaurant, recently celebrated the dining spot's grand opening.

"We're excited about being in the area and being part of this community," said Theresa Salvatore.

The family moved to Tampa after running a collection of well-known restaurants in South Florida. Pete Salvatore and his son Anthony run the restaurant and are the primary chefs.

Pete Salvatore attended culinary school in Italy, then, at age 19, worked in restaurants in New York City. Those influences can be felt in the new restaurant, where the decor pays homage to the "Godfather" movies.

The menu features a range of homemade Italian specialties, steaks and fish.

"We are about offering quality," said Theresa Salvatore, Pete's wife. "Our breads and pastas are made fresh, and we offer Black Angus beef."

Some of the most popular dishes are fried calamari and Grouper Tuscany, which is prepared with sun-dried tomato and artichoke hearts and topped with a pink sauce.

The steakhouse holds weekly specials, such as a rib-eye dinner for $11.99 on Wednesday and a New York strip for $9.99 on Thursday. Customers can also get drink specials during happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. inside and all day at the outside bar.

Customers can bring some of the restaurant's flavor home with them.

"We bottle our own marinara and salad dressings, which we sell at the restaurant," Theresa Salvatore said.

She said the most important aspect is the family atmosphere.

"We are a family-run business that values families," she said. "My husband works here, my son Antonio works here and even our other son, Stephen, has joined the business. We want families to feel welcome here."

PETES STEAKHOUSE ITALIAN GRILL

WHERE: 9540 W. Linebaugh Ave.

PHONE: (813) 926-9229

WEB SITE: www.petessteakhousetogo.com

HOURS: 4 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday

Reporter Michele Sager can be reached at (813) 865-4843 or msager@tampatrib.com.

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